A nanogravimmetric investigation of the charging processes on ruthenium oxide thin films and their effect on methanol oxidation

The charging processes and methanol oxidation that occur during the oxidation-reduction cycles in a ruthenium oxide thin film electrode (deposited by the sol-gel method on Pt covered quartz crystals) were investigated by using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and electrochemical quartz crystal nanobalance techniques. The ruthenium oxide rutile phase structure was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The results obtained during the charging of rutile ruthenium oxide films indicate that in the anodic sweep the transition from Ru(II) to Ru(VI) occurs followed by proton de-intercalation. In the cathodic sweep, electron injection occurs followed by proton intercalation, leading to Ru(II). The proton intercalation/de-intercalation processes can be inferred from the mass/charge relationship which gives a slope close to 1 g mol⁻¹ (multiplied by the Faraday constant) corresponding to the molar mass of hydrogen. From the chronoamperometric measurements, charge and mass saturation of the RuO₂ thin films was observed (440 ng cm⁻²) during the charging processes, which is related to the total number of active sites in these films. Using the electrochemical quartz crystal nanobalance technique to study the methanol oxidation reaction at these films was possible to demonstrate that bulk oxidation occurs without the formation of strongly adsorbed intermediates such as CO_ads, demonstrating that Pt electrodes modified by ruthenium oxide particles can be promising catalysts for the methanol oxidation as already shown in the literature.     

Variable-temperature FT-IR studies on the thermodynamics of carbon dioxide adsorption on a faujasite-type H-Y zeolite

Adsorption of carbon dioxide on a faujasite-type H-Y zeolite (Si:Al = 2.6:1) was studied by variable-temperature (200-290 K range) infrared spectroscopy. Adsorbed CO₂ molecules interact with the Brønsted acid Si(OH)Al groups located inside the zeolite supercage, bringing about a characteristic bathochromic shift of the O-H stretching mode from 3645 cm⁻¹ (free OH group) to 3540 cm⁻¹ (hydrogen-bonded CO₂ adsorption complex). Simultaneously, the asymmetric (ν₃) mode of adsorbed CO₂ is observed at 2353 cm⁻¹. From the observed variation of the integrated intensity of the 3645 and 2353 cm⁻¹ IR absorption bands upon changing temperature, corresponding values of standard adsorption enthalpy and entropy were found to be ΔH° = −28.5(±1) kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔS° = −129(±10) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. Comparison with the reported values of ΔH° for CO₂ adsorption on other zeolites is briefly discussed.     

Carbon monoxide oxidation over well-defined Pt/ZrO2 model catalysts: Bridging the material gap

Four different Pt/ZrO₂/(C/)SiO₂ model catalysts were prepared by electron beam evaporation. The morphology of these samples was examined before and after the catalytic reaction by Rutherford back-scattering (RBS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and grazing-incidence small-angle scattering (GISAXS). The catalytic behavior of such model catalysts was compared to a conventional Pt/ZrO₂ catalyst in the CO oxidation reaction using different oxygen excess (λ = 1 and 2). The so-called material gap was observed: model catalysts were active at higher temperature (620-770 K) and resulted in higher activation energy values (E_a = 77-93 kJ mol⁻¹ at λ = 1 and 129-141 kJ mol⁻¹ at λ = 2) compared to the powdered Pt/ZrO₂ catalyst (370-470 K, E_a = 74-76 kJ mol⁻¹). This material gap is discussed in terms of diffusion limitations, reaction mechanism and apparent compensation effect. Diffusion processes seem to limit the reaction on planar samples in the reactor system that was shown to be appropriate for the evaluation of the catalytic activity of powder samples. Kinetic parameters obeyed the so-called apparent compensation effect, which is discussed in detail. Langmuir-Hinshelwood-type of reaction, between CO_ads and O_ads, was proposed as the rate-determining step in all cases. Pt particles deposited on planar structures can be used for modeling conventional powdered catalysts, even though some limitations must be taken into account.     

Microgravimetric and voltammetric study of Zn underpotential deposition on platinum in alkaline medium

The microgravimetric and voltammetric responses of a polycrystalline Pt electrode in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ NaOH solution in the presence and the absence of 1.6 × 10⁻⁴ Zn²⁺, at 0.1 V s⁻¹ were analyzed. During the positive potential sweep, the water molecules are progressively substituted by OH⁻ ions, prior to PtO formation. The voltammetric charges obtained under the Zn_ads dissolution peaks suggest that 0.7 monolayers are deposited, with each Zn ad-atom occupying one active site and transferring two electrons. The total loss of mass due to the dissolution of the Zn ad-layer was 136.6 ng cm⁻² and the mass increase due to PtO formation was found to be only 12 ng cm⁻² less than the theoretical ones, 157.5 and 37.4 ng cm⁻², respectively, indicating that both processes are overlapped. In this way it is proposed that an adsorbed by-layer of Zn and OH⁻ ions is formed.     

Local vibration assisted molecular configurations in poly(vinylidene fluoride) of ordered ferroelectric phase in N,N-dimethylformamide

Amide-based polymer liquids are important for developing biological and optical colloids or nanofluids. Functionalized properties arise from specific molecular structures. In this investigation, we report model molecular configurations of a polymer liquid, 0.3 g/L poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVF₂) dissolved in liquid N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), based on the characteristic IR vibration bands. Peculiarly, a ferroelectric β-PVF₂ phase reorders on a linear configuration in support with the DMF molecules, showing a characteristic band 840 cm^− 1 (CH₂ rocking and CF₂ asymmetric stretching) with the trans band at 1275 cm^− 1. Four CO stretching bands ν₁⁰, ν₁¹, ν₁², and ν₁³ of 1650, 1675, 1725, and 1760 cm^− 1 (bandwidth Δν_½ = 180 cm^− 1 in the four bands) arise in four major configurations of DMF-PVF₂ pairs (or derivatives). Only one prominent ν₁⁰ band 1660 cm^− 1 (Δν_½ = 75 cm^− 1) incurs with a shoulder ν₁¹ of 1725 cm^− 1 (Δν_½ = 25 cm^− 1) in two DMF configurations. A ferroelectric field cased in presence of β-PVF₂ leads to enhance IR absorption by as much as an order of magnitude. It leads to converging non-bonding electron density on the amide moiety.     

Air-broadened halfwidth and pressure shift coefficients of CO2 bands: 4750-7000 cm

Previously we obtained self-broadened halfwidth and self-induced shift coefficients at room temperature for 15 near infrared CO₂ bands between 4750 and 7000 cm⁻¹ [R.A. Toth, L.R. Brown, C.E. Miller, V.M. Devi, D.C. Benner, J. Mol. Spectrosc., 239 (2006) 243-271]. The present study expands our work on the near infrared line parameters of CO₂ to include air broadening coefficients. Here we report nearly 400 air-broadened half width and air-induced pressure shift coefficients spanning 11 different CO₂ vibrational bands in the 4750-7000 cm⁻¹ region. Retrievals have been performed using Voigt line profiles over three distinct spectral intervals: (a) 4750-5200 cm⁻¹, covering the 20011 ← 00001, 20012 ← 00001, and 20013 ← 00001 Fermi Triad and three associated hot bands 21111 ← 01101, 21112 ← 01101, 21113 ← 01101; (b) 6100-7000 cm⁻¹, covering the 30011 ← 00001, 30012 ← 00001, 30013 ← 00001 and 30014 ← 00001 Fermi Tetrad; (c) near 6950 cm⁻¹ for the 00031 ← 00001 overtone band. The air-broadened halfwidth and air-induced pressure shift coefficients have been modeled with empirical expressions and compared to other measurements available in the literature.     

Fabrication of platinum particles by intense, femtosecond laser pulse irradiation of aqueous solution

Platinum nano-particles were directly fabricated through molecular dissociation process induced by tightly focused femtosecond laser pluses in hydrogen hexachloroplatinate (IV) hexahydrate (H₂PtCl₆·6H₂O) aqueous solution. After irradiation, it was found that UV-visible absorption spectrum of the solution was changed and a large number of small platinum particles were synthesized. The variation of absorbance in the spectrum and the yield the particle synthesis depended on the concentration of the solution. The most effective condition for particle synthesis was 0.1 wt%. Black precipitates of platinum particles were observed in the bottom of the vessel after irradiation in some cases. The dispersibility of the particles was greatly improved by the addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a dispersant, and no precipitates were found in the solution with 1.0 × 10⁻² wt% PVP. Consequently, highly monodispersed platinum nano-particles with the mean size of about 3 nm were successfully fabricated.     

The catalytic reduction of NO by H2 on Ru(0 0 0 1): Observation of NHads species

Adsorption of NO and the reaction between NO and H₂ were investigated on the Ru(0 0 0 1) surface by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Surface composition was measured after NO adsorption and after the selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide with hydrogen in steady-state conditions at 320 K and 390 K in a 30:1 mixture of H₂ and NO (total pressure = 10⁻⁴ mbar). After steady-state NO reduction, molecularly adsorbed NO in both the linear on-top and threefold coordinations, NH_ads and N_ads species were identified by XPS. The coverage of the NH_ads and N_ads species was higher after the reaction at 390 K than the corresponding values at 320 K. Strong destabilisation of N_ads by O_ads was detected. A possible reaction mechanism is discussed.     

Transferring the high accuracy of the 10 μm CO2 laser bands to far infrared region with internal calibration of CS2

The main aim of the work is to transfer the high accuracy of the CO₂ laser bands around 10 μm to far infrared regions around 400 and 250 cm⁻¹ for secondary standards. The bands ν₁ + ν₂ and 3ν₂ of CS₂ were measured on the Bruker IFS 120 HR Fourier spectrometer in Oulu with special care and calibrated against CO₂. In the second stage the ν₂ region around 400 cm⁻¹ was measured at a resolution of 0.001 cm⁻¹. This spectrum was calibrated against 3ν₂ internally with the CS₂ band system using ladders formed with rotational lines in the bands ν₂, 2ν₂ − ν₂ and 3ν₂ − 2ν₂. Further, the difference band ν₁ − ν₂ at 263 cm⁻¹ together with accompanying hot bands was measured on a similar spectrometer in Lund, Sweden, but with a synchrotron radiation source. Using corresponding chains of lines as above this region was calibrated with ν₁ + ν₂. In this way, problems with conventional calibration could be avoided. Without the effect of the pressure shifts the absolute accuracy of 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ and 8.4 × 10⁻⁶ cm⁻¹ has been achieved at 400 and 250 cm⁻¹, respectively. Simultaneously the same calibration accuracy is also transferred to residual water lines around the CS₂ far infrared bands and the best H₂O lines will be given with literature comparisons. In addition to the calibration new results from the observed hot bands of CS₂ in the region of the bands ν₁ + ν₂ and 3ν₂ will be given.     

Impact of potassium on the heats of adsorption of adsorbed CO species on supported Pt particles by using the AEIR method

The heats of adsorption at several coverages of the linear and bridged CO species (denoted L and B, respectively) adsorbed on the Pt⁰ sites of the 2.9 wt% Pt/10% K/Al₂O₃ catalyst are determined using the Adsorption Equilibrium Infrared spectroscopy method. The addition of K on 2.9% Pt/Al₂O₃ modifies significantly the adsorption of CO on the Pt particles: (a) the ratio L/B is decreased from 8.4 to 1, (b) a new adsorbed CO species is detected with an IR band at 1763 cm⁻¹, (c) the heats of adsorption of L and B CO species are significantly altered and the positions of their IR bands are shifted. The heats of adsorption of L CO species are decreased: i.e. 206 and 105 kJ/mol at low coverages on Pt/Al₂O₃ and Pt/K/Al₂O₃ respectively. Two B CO species denoted B1 and B2, with different heats of adsorption are observed on Pt/K/Al₂O₃. The heats of adsorption of B2 CO species (major B CO species) are significantly larger than those measured in the absence of K: i.e. 94 and 160 kJ/mol at low coverages on Pt/Al₂O₃ and Pt/K/Al₂O₃ respectively, whereas those of B1 CO species (minor species) are similar: 90 kJ/mol at low coverages. These values are consistent with the qualitative High Resolution Electron Energy Loss Spectrometry literature data on Pt(1 1 1) modified by potassium.     

OH impurities in co-doped LiNbO3:Cr :ZnO congruent crystals

Infrared optical absorption has been used to study OH⁻impurities into congruent co-doped LiNbO₃:Cr³⁺:ZnO crystals doped with different Zn²⁺ concentration. The OH⁻ IR absorption spectra present three bands that can be associated with different OH⁻ complex centres available in the lattice. For crystals with lower Zn²⁺ concentrations (<4.7%) only one IR absorption band centred at 2867 nm (3490 cm⁻¹) is reported which is associated with the OH⁻ unperturbed vibration. For crystals with higher Zn²⁺ concentrations (>4.7%), two new bands associated with OH⁻vibration in distortion environment are reported. These bands are centred at 2827 nm (3537 cm⁻¹) and 2847 nm (3512 cm⁻¹) and can be associated with OH⁻-Zn²⁺ and Cr³⁺(Li⁺)-OH⁻-Zn²⁺(Int.) complex centres, respectively. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) has been used to identify the Cr³⁺ centres in the lattice of the doped LiNbO₃:ZnO crystals.     

Carbon monoxide adsorption on Co deposited Pt(1 0 0)-hex: IRRAS and LEED investigations

Infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) was used to investigate carbon monoxide (CO) adsorption on Pt(1 0 0) surfaces deposited with Co layers with different thicknesses. Pt(1 0 0) surfaces cleaned in ultrahigh vacuum showed surface reconstruction, i.e., Pt(1 0 0)-hex: two absorption bands ascribable to adsorbed CO on the 1 × 1 surface and hex domains emerge at 2086 and 2074 cm⁻¹, respectively, after 1.0 L CO exposure. Deposition of a 0.3-nm-thick-Co layer on Pt(1 0 0)-hex at 333 K changes the low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) pattern from hex to p(1 × 1), indicating that the deposited Co lifts the reconstruction. The IRRAS spectrum for 1.0-L-CO-exposed Co_0.3 nm/Pt(1 0 0)-hex fabricated at 333 K yields a single absorption band at 2059 cm⁻¹. For Co_0.3 nm/Pt(1 0 0)-hex fabricated at 693 K, the LEED pattern shows a less-contrasted hex and the pattern remains nearly unchanged even after CO exposure of 11 L, although only 1.0 L CO exposure to Pt(1 0 0)-hex lifts the surface reconstruction. A Co_0.3 nm/Pt(1 0 0)-hex surface fabricated at 753 K exhibits an absorption band at 2077 cm⁻¹, which is considered to originate from CO adsorbed on the Pt-enriched surface alloy. Co_0.3 nm/Pt(1 0 0)-hex surfaces fabricated above 773 K show a clear hex-reconstructed LEED pattern, and the frequencies of the adsorbed CO bands are comparable to those of Pt(1 0 0)-hex, indicating that the deposited Co atoms are diffused near the surface region. The outermost surface of the 3.0-nm-thick-Co-deposited Pt(1 0 0)-hex is composed of Pt-Co alloy domains even at a deposition temperature of 873 K. Based on the LEED and IRRAS results, the outermost surface structures of Co_x/Pt(1 0 0)-hex are discussed.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of aqueous CdWO4 quantum dots with WO6 luminescence center

Aqueous CdWO₄ QDs were synthesized by the reaction of CdCl₂ and Na₂WO₄ in the presence of mercaptoacetic acid (TGA) as capping reagent. The crystal morphology, particle size and its distribution of as-prepared products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM, SAED) atomic force microscopy (AFM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), respectively. Qualitative assays for functional groups on the QDs’ surface were measured by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Photoluminescence properties of QDs were studied by photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The results showed that the single QD with diameter of about 8 ± 2 nm was single-crystal. The particle size distribution of QDs was normal. Infrared absorption bands of carboxylic group on the surface of CdWO₄ QDs were observed around 1610-1550 cm⁻¹ (nonsymmetrical vibration of -COO⁻) and 1400 cm⁻¹ (symmetric vibration of C-O). With reaction-time going, PL peak position shifted from 498 to 549 nm and intensity of PL increased first and then decreased. PL peak position of QDs was blue-shift compared with 570 nm WO₆⁶⁻ luminescence center of bulk CdWO₄.     

Low-temperature synthesis of nanocrystalline Ca1−xHoxMnO3−δ (0?x?0.3) powders

Nanocrystalline Ca_1−xHo_xMnO_3−δ (0?x?0.3) manganites were synthesized as phase-pure by a simple and instantaneous solution autogel combustion method, which is a low temperature initiated synthetic route to obtain fine grain size. All the samples, heated at 800 °C for 18 h, can be produced as phase-pure; the polycrystalline powders are homogeneous and possess ultrafine particle size. The holmium-doped calcium manganites retain the orthorhombic phase of the undoped sample. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images revealed that the combustion-derived compounds exhibit particle size that decreases with holmium content from 300 to 80 nm. All manganites show two active IR vibrational modes near 400 and 600 cm⁻¹. The high temperature dependence of resistivity was measured using a standard four-probe method in the range 25-600 °C. All the samples exhibit semiconductor behaviour and holmium induces a marked decrease in the electrical resistivity when compared with the parent CaMnO₃. The results can be well attributed to the Mn⁴⁺/Mn³⁺ ratio and to the particle grain size.     

Electrical characterisation of ruthenium Schottky contacts on n-Ge (1 0 0)

Ruthenium (Ru) Schottky contacts were fabricated on n-Ge (1 0 0) by electron beam deposition. Current–voltage (I–V), deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS), and Laplace-DLTS techniques were used to characterise the as-deposited and annealed Ru/n-Ge (1 0 0) Schottky contacts. The variation of the electrical properties of the Ru samples annealed between 25 °C and 575 °C indicates the formation of two phases of ruthenium germanide. After Ru Schottky contacts fabrication, an electron trap at 0.38 eV below the conduction band with capture cross section of 1.0×10⁻¹⁴ cm⁻² is the only detectable electron trap. The hole traps at 0.09, 0.15, 0.27 and 0.30 eV above the valence band with capture cross sections of 7.8×10⁻¹³ cm⁻², 7.1×10⁻¹³ cm⁻², 2.4×10⁻¹³ cm⁻² and 6.2×10⁻¹³ cm⁻², respectively, were observed in the as-deposited Ru Schottky contacts. The hole trap H(0.30) is the prominent single acceptor level of the E-centre, and H(0.09) is the third charge state of the E-centre. H(0.27) shows some reverse annealing and reaches a maximum concentration at 225 °C and anneals out after 350 °C. This trap is strongly believed to be V–Sb₂ complex formed from the annealing of V–Sb defect centre.     

Intensities and self-broadening coefficients of the CO2 Ro-vibrational transitions measured by a near-IR diode laser spectrometer

Eleven absorption lines belonging to one of the Fermi-tetrad bands of CO₂, (3, 0⁰, 1)_III centered at 6231 cm⁻¹, have been recorded by a newly constructed near-infrared diode laser spectrometer. Precise line parameters, linestrength, and self-broadening parameters were determined from the observed spectra by analyzing the data using the Galatry profile function.     

Near infrared spectroscopy of carbon dioxide I. OCO line positions

High-resolution near-infrared (4000-9000 cm⁻¹) spectra of carbon dioxide have been recorded using the McMath-Pierce Fourier transform spectrometer at the Kitt Peak National Solar Observatory. Some 2500 observed positions have been used to determine spectroscopic constants for 53 different vibrational states of the ¹⁶O¹²C¹⁶O isotopologue, including eight vibrational states for which laboratory spectra have not previously been reported. Calibration by simultaneous use of CO near 4200 cm⁻¹ and C₂H₂ near 6500 cm⁻¹ provides absolute line position accuracies of 6.0 × 10⁻⁵ cm⁻¹ (RMS) for strong, isolated transitions throughout the observed range. Fits with RMS errors <3.8 × 10⁻⁵ cm⁻¹ have been obtained for the 20013 ← 00001, 20012 ← 00001, and 20011 ← 00001 bands, RMS errors <6 × 10⁻⁵ cm⁻¹ have been obtained for the 30014 ← 00001, 30013 ← 00001, 30012 ← 00001, and 00031 ← 00001 bands, and RMS errors <5 × 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹ for even the weakest fitted bands. This work reduces CO₂ near-infrared line position uncertainties by a factor of 10 or more compared to the 2000 HITRAN line list, which has not been modified since the comprehensive work of Rothman et al. [J. Quant. Spectrosc. Rad. Transfer 48 (1992) 537]. The new line list satisfies the line position accuracies required for the next generation of CO₂ remote sensing instruments, improves the capability of solar-viewing spectrometers to retrieve precise column CO₂ measurements, and provides a secondary frequency standard in the near-infrared.     

In vitro corrosion behavior of Ti-O film deposited on fluoride-treated Mg-Zn-Y-Nd alloy

In this paper, a new composite coating was fabricated on magnesium alloy by a two-step approach, to improve the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of Mg-Zn-Y-Nd alloy. First, fluoride conversion layer was synthesized on magnesium alloy surface by immersion treatment in hydrofluoric acid and then, Ti-O film was deposited on the preceding fluoride layer by magnetron sputtering. FE-SEM images revealed a smooth and uniform surface consisting of aggregated nano-particles with average size of 100 nm, and a total coating thickness of ∼1.5 μm, including an outer Ti-O film of ∼250 nm. The surface EDS and XRD data indicated that the composite coating was mainly composed of crystalline magnesium fluoride (MgF₂), and non-crystalline Ti-O. Potentiodynamic polarization tests revealed that the composite coated sample have a corrosion potential (E_corr) of −1.60 V and a corrosion current density (I_corr) of 0.17 μA/cm², which improved by 100 mV and reduced by two orders of magnitude, compared with the sample only coated by Ti-O. EIS results showed a polarization resistance of 3.98 kΩ cm² for the Ti-O coated sample and 0.42 kΩ cm² for the composite coated sample, giving an improvement of about 100 times. After 72 h immersion in SBF, widespread damage and deep corrosion holes were observed on the Ti-O coated sample surface, while the integrity of composite coating remained well after 7 d. In brief, the data suggested that single Ti-O film on degradable magnesium alloys was apt to become failure prematurely in corrosion environment. Ti-O film deposited on fluoride-treated magnesium alloys might potentially meet the requirements for future clinical magnesium alloy stent application.     

Infrared reflection absorption spectral study for CO adsorption on Pd/Pt(1 1 1) bimetallic surfaces

Infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) was used to investigate carbon monoxide (CO) adsorption on 0.15 nm-thick-0.6 nm-thick Pd-deposited Pt(1 1 1) bimetallic surfaces: Pd_x/Pt(1 1 1) (where x is the Pd thickness in nanometers) fabricated using molecular beam epitaxial method at substrate temperatures of 343 K, 473 K, and 673 K. Reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) measurements for Pd_0.15-0.6 nm/Pt(1 1 1) surfaces fabricated at 343 K showed that Pd grows epitaxially on a clean Pt(1 1 1), having an almost identical lattice constant of Pt(1 1 1). The 1.0 L CO exposure to the clean Pt(1 1 1) at room temperature yielded linearly bonded and bridge-bonded CO-Pt bands at 2093 and 1855 cm⁻¹. The CO-Pt band intensities for the CO-exposed Pd_x/Pt(1 1 1) surfaces decreased with increasing Pd thickness. For Pd_0.3 nm/Pt(1 1 1) deposited at 343 K, the 1933 cm⁻¹ band caused by bridge-bonded CO-Pd enhanced the spectral intensity. The linear-bonded CO-Pt band (2090 cm⁻¹) almost disappeared and the bridge-bonded CO-Pd band dominated the spectra for Pd_0.6 nm/Pt(1 1 1). With increasing substrate temperature during the Pd depositions, the relative band intensities of the CO-Pt/CO-Pd increased. For the Pd_0.3 nm/Pt(1 1 1) deposited at 673 K, the linear-bonded CO-Pt and bridge-bonded CO-Pd bands are located respectively at 2071 and 1928 cm⁻¹. The temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) spectrum for the 673 K-deposited Pd_0.3 nm/Pt(1 1 1) showed that a desorption signal for the adsorbed CO on the Pt sites decreased in intensity and shifted ca. 20 K to a lower temperature than those for the clean Pt(1 1 1). We discuss the CO adsorption behavior on well-defined Pd-deposited Pt(1 1 1) bimetallic surfaces.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of the size-controlled Mn-Zn ferrite nanoparticles by oxidation method

Size-controlled Mn_0.67Zn_0.33Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles in the wide range from 80 to 20 nm have been synthesized, for the first time, using the oxidation method. It has been demonstrated that the particle size can be tailor-made by varying the concentration of the oxidant. The magnetization of the 80 nm particles was 49 A m² kg⁻¹ compared to 34 A m² kg⁻¹ for the 20 nm particles. The Curie temperatures for all the samples are found to be within 630±5 K suggesting that there is no size-dependent cation distribution. The critical particle size for the superparamagnetic limit is found to be about 25 nm. The effective magnetic anisotropy constant is experimentally determined to be 7.78 kJ m⁻³ for the 25 nm particles, which is about an order of magnitude higher than that of the bulk ferrite.